Extra police presence for 4th
Public safety officials will be out in force for the upcoming Fourth of July as part of Hermosa Beach’s attempts to continue to limit raucous behavior on the holiday.
Existing prohibitions on fireworks, underage drinking, and drinking in public will all be strictly enforced, according to a letter from Acting Police Chief Milton McKinnon of the Hermosa Beach Police Department. City code allows for temporary increases in fines associated with these infractions on the holiday, and the minimum fine for violations is $500.
The city will also be enforcing its “social host” ordinance, which makes parents liable for parties thrown by their children at their home, even if the adults are out of town. Parties which violate noise ordinances or other rules, and require a police response, could lead to fines starting at $2,500.
The city typically receives help from neighboring agencies on the Fourth, with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputies deployed along the beach and a mobile station used to process those arrested and taken into custody. According to McKinnon, the city has seen declining incidents of disturbing the peace since it began increased enforcement six years ago.
